Starting January 2026, Curry Health Center鈥檚 medical clinic will begin accepting health insurance for services.聽
Please Note: Information on this page is subject to change as we finalize insurance contracts and billing processes for January 2026. Updates will be posted regularly. Please check back for the most current details
Health Insurance & Billing at Curry Health Center
Curry Health Center (CHC) is making it easier to use your health insurance while still receiving trusted on-campus care. Starting January 2026, our medical clinic will accept health insurance for services.
Why This Change Benefits Students
- Use your insurance directly at CHC, which may lower your out-of-pocket costs.
- No need to request a walk-out statement for reimbursement (walk-out statements are still available on request).
- You still have access to many free or low-cost wellbeing and prevention services through your mandatory health service fee.
Preparing for January 2026
Make sure you have active health insurance through one of these options:
- Parent/guardian’s plan
- Employer plan
- Private insurance plan
- AcademicBlue / SHIP (UM’s Student Health Insurance Plan)
Need Health Insurance?
SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan)
SHIP (AcademicBlue) is designed for Montana University System students and offers Gold-level or better coverage at a student-friendly price.
Learn more on the CHC insurance page. For more information, contact Dawn Camara-Clark at 406-243-2844 or studentinsurance@mso.umt.edu (include your 790#)
Understanding Your Insurance at CHC
Before your visit, you’ll need to provide your insurance information:
-
Upload your insurance card(s) to the before your appointment, or bring your card with you.
- Important: if you're a dependent on a parent/guardian's insurance plan, they are the 'Policy Holder' and you will need to submit their name, date of birth, etc. to the Patient Portal when prompted.
-
Confirm with your insurance carrier:
- CHC is in-network for your plan
- Coverage for the type of visit (primary care, specialty care, etc.)
- Out-of-network benefits, if any
CHC Identifying Information
- Tax ID: 81-6001713
- NPI: 1558589960
- Billing Address: 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812
How Billing Will Work for Medical Visits
How much will my visit cost? It depends.
The $25 flat-fee office visit is no longer available. Costs now vary based on whether you use insurance and the details of your individual plan. Opting out of using health insurance means you choose to 'self-pay.' Self-pay visits may cost more. For estimated price ranges (should you opt to self-pay), visit our Fees page.
1. Using Your Health Insurance
- CHC submits your claim within 2–3 days.
- Insurance usually processes claims in 7–30 days.
- Any remaining balance (co-pays, coinsurance, deductibles) is billed in your or can be paid at your visit.
2. Self-Pay — Pay Today
- You pay the cost of your visit at check‑in; additional costs (if applicable) will be billed to the Patient Portal.
- No claim is sent to insurance, nothing appears in the
3. Self-Pay — Bill to Patient Portal
- Full cost goes to your
- No claim is sent to insurance.
- Unpaid balances over 30 days may be sent to your student account in the Griz Portal.
Important: Self-pay may result in higher out-of-pocket costs.
If Your Insurance Isn’t In-Network
- CHC will submit a claim to your insurance to check for out-of-network benefits.
- Any remaining balance will be billed to your
- If your insurance is not in-network, consider SHIP or another plan for easier access and coverage.
Questions to Ask About Your Insurance
When evaluating your coverage, consider asking your insurance carrier:
What is my annual deductible?
Coverage often doesn’t begin until your deductible is met.
What is my co-pay or coinsurance?
This determines what you’ll pay after meeting your deductible.
What services are covered vs. not covered?
Some services, like cosmetic treatments, certain labs, or alternative services, may not be covered by your insurance plan.
Do I have out-of-state or out-of-network coverage?
Many insurers offer “away from home” coverage for students enrolled out of state.
Insurance Plans in Progress
CHC is working to contract with the following carriers for medical clinic billing:
- Allegiance Provider Direct, LLC (includes Cigna Medical)
- First Choice Health Network
- Mountain Health Co-op
- PacificSource
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- AcademicBlue / SHIP (UM’s Student Health Insurance Plan)
- Tricare
- TriWest
- United Healthcare
This list will be updated as agreements are finalized.
For Students with Medicaid (Montana & Out-of-State)
Montana Medicaid
The Curry Health Center will never turn a student away, we’re here to help.
However, CHC is not currently a Montana Medicaid Passport Provider, meaning:
- Montana Medicaid will not cover or reimburse services received at CHC until contracting is finalized next fall.
- Until then, any charges from CHC’s medical clinic will be billed to you through the Patient Portal, and you are responsible for paying them.
Students on Medicaid: Although we are not yet a Medicaid Passport Provider, we strongly encourage you to upload your Medicaid insurance card to the Patient Portal. If you are granted access to the Sliding Fee Scale, this will help us verify your eligibility and ensure we already have your insurance information on file when we begin accepting Medicaid.
If You’re Already on Montana Medicaid
If you're enrolled in Montana Medicaid when you register for classes, you are not required to purchase SHIP.
However, we encourage you to apply for the Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program if you meet the criteria.
Why Students on Medicaid Should Strongly Consider Applying for HIPP
HIPP is a Montana Medicaid program that uses state funds to pay for other health insurance plans, including SHIP, if Medicaid decides it’s cost-effective.
If approved:
- You keep your Medicaid coverage
- You receive SHIP as additional coverage (dual coverage)
- SHIP may be fully paid for through HIPP
- You gain easier access to medical care at CHC and a broader range of providers
- It helps ensure continuous, stable coverage while you’re in school
How to apply:
You must be an active Montana Medicaid member.
Request the HIPP application by
For questions about HIPP:
Call 800-694-3084 or email HHSHIPPProgram@mt.gov
Out-of-State Medicaid
- Meets MUS’s insurance requirement
- Only covers emergencies in Montana
- Does not cover routine care (CHC or local clinics)
- Requires SHIP or another plan
Questions about Medicaid or HIPP?
For more information, contact Dawn Camara-Clark at 406-243-2844 or studentinsurance@mso.umt.edu (include your 790#)